Henderson seeks repeat in CPKC Women’s Open

Brooke Henderson relishes the heat of the spotlight trained on her in Canada’s LPGA tournament.

The two-time winner of the CPKC Women’s Open showed both last year in Mississauga, Ont., and in 2018 in Regina that the extra attention she gets in her home-country tournament doesn’t feel burdensome.

“This week is very demanding and it’s a very special week,” Henderson said.

“For the most part, I’ve been really able to use the energy and the atmosphere of all the fans that come out to support me. There’s so much love and there’s so just positive energy for me. I feel like I’ve been able to use that to my advantage a lot of the years, which is really exciting.

“I’m just trying to go out and play my best and try to make it exciting for them, especially if I can get some good rounds together.”

Brooke Henderson heads into Canadian championship with life’s pieces falling into place

The 28-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., will attempt both a repeat and a third victory in her home tournament starting Thursday at Edmonton’s Royal Mayfair Club.

“Winning in 2018 was a huge career highlight, a dream come true,” Henderson recalled.

“To be able to relive that again last year was so special and the last victory that my sister was also on the bag for, since she’s been at home with her new daughter. It’s just been so much meaning to it, and having my family and friends run out onto the green after the victory was so cool.”

The US$2.75-million CPKC Women’s Open includes six of the world’s top 10 golfers, including No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States.

Of the 14 from the top 25, Henderson is No. 11.

The winningest Canadian golfer, with 14 tour victories, placed in the top three in this year’s Women’s PGA Championship and the Evian Championship. Henderson lost in a playoff to South Korea’s Haeran Ryu in the latter.

Henderson is coming off a tie for 29th in the AIG Women’s Open in Britain and has made the cut in all five majors this year.

“Having two back-to-back, really top major finishes in the middle of the summer felt really like my game is back to kind of how it used to be a couple years ago,” Henderson said.

“It has given me a lot of confidence and a lot momentum for the rest of this year and I’m hoping to continue to use that this week.”

In addition to becoming an aunt, Henderson also became engaged this summer to Minnesota Twins pitching prospect Ricky Castro.

“I feel like all these amazing things off the course have really helped on the course, just being a little bit more relaxed and finding that freedom that golfers strive for,” she said.

Henderson headlines a contingent of 15 Canadians in the field of 156 professionals and amateurs at the 6,452-yard, par-70 course in Edmonton’s river valley.

At just 17 year old, Vancouver’s Anna Huang won her fourth Ladies European Tour tournament in less than a year Aug. 9 in London.

“My game’s in a pretty good spot right now,” Huang said. “I’ve worked really hard this year to get where I am, and I’m just really excited to play among the best in the world.”

The 2026 CPKC Women’s Open is the 52nd edition of the tournament in Canada dating back to 1973.

The tournament returns to Edmonton for the fourth time and the Royal Mayfair for a third, but the first since 2013 when a 16-year-old Lydia Ko defended the title she won the previous year in Vancouver as an amateur.

Now a three-time winner of Canada’s tournament (2012, 2013, 2015), the 29-year-old from New Zealand returns to chase an unprecedented fourth.

Pat Bradley (1980, 1985, 1986) and Meg Mallon (2000, 2002, 2004) were the only other women to win three.

Ko said the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open in Calgary helped prep her game to win an Olympic gold medal in Paris later that summer.

“In many different ways this tournament has meant a lot to my career and it’s one that will always be very special to my heart,” Ko said.

Edmonton has received 56 centimetres, or 22 inches, of rain since June 1. The forecast for the tournament is for part sun and part cloud until showers roll in Saturday night.

Ko said the Mayfair course was in great shape, but she braced herself for mosquitoes that bred in wet conditions.

“I bought three different types of insect repellent yesterday and still trying to figure out which one actually works,” Ko said.

“Long sleeves and long pants and long socks because I am not showing skin. I’m just trying to be covered and not become like buffet meat for the mosquitoes.”

Added Henderson: “Everyone’s finding it very buggy so far. So far I haven’t been finding it too bad. Maybe I’m more used to it. That will definitely be a factor this week.”

Calgary holds the tournament attendance record of 73,000 set in 2024 at Earl Grey Golf Club.